Barack Obama's deputy warns on EU vote

US Vice-President Joe Biden provoked ridicule yesterday by claiming that a British exit from the European Union would damage world peace and prosperity.

Barack Obama’s deputy warned David Cameron not to cut ties with Brussels

In a highly unusual intervention, Barack Obama’s deputy warned David Cameron not to cut ties with Brussels.

Democratic Party grandee Mr Biden told an interviewer: “We value our essential relationship with the UK, as well as our relationship with the EU, which makes critical contributions to peace, prosperity and security in Europe and around the world.

“We believe the United Kingdom is stronger as a result of its membership.

“And we believe the EU is stronger with the UK’s involvement.”

His comments were savaged by Eurosceptics yesterday.

We believe the United Kingdom is stronger as a result of its membership

“Yet again, America looks to its own self interest rather than the interests of the people of this country. Liberty, as he should know, is not the cause of conflict.” Mr Biden’s outburst came ahead of talks due with the Prime Minister during a visit to London this week.

His message is the first public statement about Britain’s relationship with Europe from the White House since Mr Cameron announced plans for an in-or-out referendum on EU membership in a landmark speech last month.

But shortly before Mr Cameron’s speech, Mr Obama phoned him in Downing Street to emphasise that the US “values a strong UK in a strong European Union”.

US President Barack Obama

Successive presidents have seen the UK as a vital link between the US and European leaders.

But many Eurosceptics have becoming increasingly irritated that the White House wants to use the UK to press its own interests rather than allowing the British people to choose their destiny.

Meanwhile, Mr Cameron is due to attend a summit in Brussels on Thursday to resume talks over the EU’s planned £800billion spending plans for the next seven years.

Negotiations collapsed last year after EU leaders could not agree to cut the inflation-busting budget.